Blood Pressure Measurement

Definition - What does Blood Pressure Measurement mean?

Blood pressure measurement is a clinical assessment of the arterial force of blood pumping and circulating from the heart based on the number of rhythmical contractions and corresponding rests between each cycle. Technicians observe two primary functions of the heart muscle called diastole (rests) and systole (contractions) to determine normal blood pressure levels.

WorkplaceTesting explains Blood Pressure Measurement

Blood pressure is an important aspect of health that contributes to the physiological processes and functions of organs in the body. A doctor applies a pressurized cuff to a patient’s arm fitted with a monitoring gauge while listening to a pulse via stethoscope to ascertain baseline metrics against deviations such as pre-hypertension and hypertension. Doctors record both diastolic pressure and systolic pressure according to numerical units described as millimeters of mercury, or mmHg, when calculating blood pressure. For instance, a normal range can fall at or below 120 systolic and 80 diastolic pressure, or simply 120 over 80 (120/80) as a rudimentary guide.

The long-term effects of high blood pressure can disrupt the quality of life for many people. For instance, chronic hypertension often carries epidemiological implications that include blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Routine blood screens are beneficial in identifying blood pressure anomalies where effective intervention techniques can be useful.

In the workplace, employers are responsible for providing comprehensive health coverage to meet the health needs of its employees. Hypertension represents a significant financial constraint for businesses in which consistent medical attention is a requirement to ensure the maintenance of blood pressure levels. In many cases, prescribed medication serves as a cost-effective approach in mitigating hypertension in patients, in turn, lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure measurement is a practical benchmark in helping diagnose hypertension and potential cardiovascular disease.